Influences The Hobbit

verne s runic cryptogram journey center of earth

tolkien scholar mark t. hooker has catalogued lengthy series of parallels between hobbit , jules verne s journey center of earth. these include, among other things, hidden runic message , celestial alignment direct adventurers goals of quests.

tolkien s works show influence norse mythology, reflecting lifelong passion stories , academic interest in germanic philology. hobbit no exception this; work shows influences northern european literature, myths , languages, poetic edda , prose edda. examples include names of characters, such fili, kili, oin, gloin, bifur, bofur, bombur, dori, nori, dwalin, balin, dain, nain, thorin oakenshield , gandalf (deriving old norse names fíli, kíli, oin, glói, bivör, bávörr, bömburr, dori, nóri, dvalinn, bláin, dain, nain, Þorin eikinskialdi , gandálfr). while names old norse, characters of dwarves more directly taken fairy tales such snow white , snow-white , rose-red collected brothers grimm. latter tale may have influenced character of beorn.

tolkien s use of descriptive names such misty mountains , bag end echoes names used in old norse sagas. names of dwarf-friendly ravens, such roäc, derived old norse words raven , rook , peaceful characters unlike typical carrion birds old norse , old english literature. tolkien not skimming historical sources effect: juxtaposition of old , new styles of expression seen shippey 1 of major themes explored in hobbit. maps figure in both saga literature , hobbit. several of author s illustrations incorporate anglo-saxon runes, english adaptation of germanic runic alphabets.

themes old english literature, , beowulf, shape ancient world bilbo stepped into. tolkien, scholar of beowulf, counted epic among valued sources hobbit. tolkien 1 of first critics treat beowulf literary work value beyond merely historical, , 1936 lecture beowulf: monsters , critics still required in old english courses. tolkien borrowed several elements beowulf, including monstrous, intelligent dragon. descriptions in hobbit seem have been lifted straight out of beowulf minor rewording, such when dragon stretches neck out sniff intruders. likewise, tolkien s descriptions of lair accessed through secret passage mirror in beowulf. other specific plot elements , features in hobbit show similarities beowulf include title thief, bilbo called gollum , later smaug, , smaug s personality, leads destruction of lake-town. tolkien refines parts of beowulf s plot appears have found less satisfactorily described, such details cup-thief , dragon s intellect , personality.

another influence old english sources appearance of named blades of renown, adorned in runes. in using elf-blade bilbo takes first independent heroic action. naming blade sting see bilbo s acceptance of kinds of cultural , linguistic practices found in beowulf, signifying entrance ancient world in found himself. progression culminates in bilbo stealing cup dragon s hoard, rousing him wrath—an incident directly mirroring beowulf , action entirely determined traditional narrative patterns. tolkien wrote, episode of theft arose naturally (and inevitably) circumstances. difficult think of other way of conducting story @ point. fancy author of beowulf same.

the name of wizard radagast recognized taken name of slavic deity rodegast.

the representation of dwarves in hobbit influenced own selective reading of medieval texts regarding jewish people , history. dwarves characteristics of being dispossessed of ancient homeland @ lonely mountain, , living among other groups whilst retaining own culture derived medieval image of jews, whilst warlike nature stems accounts in hebrew bible. dwarvish calendar invented hobbit reflects jewish calendar in beginning in late autumn. , although tolkien denied allegory, dwarves taking bilbo out of complacent existence has been seen eloquent metaphor impoverishment of western society without jews.